BUILDING work on the long-awaited Asda superstore in Hayes is due to commence this week, it has been announced.

The store, which will be located on the former Westlands 3 site in Millington Road, Hayes, will create around 500 jobs.

It is estimated that it will be open in late 2015, with a recruitment drive in Hillingdon borough to start that spring.

BAM Construction were chosen as the contractors, in a deal worth around £12million last week.

A spokesperson for the landowners, the British Steel Pension Fund (BSPF), said that people living nearby would be kept updated on the progress, and added: "We would like to thank the local community for sticking with us.

"Our contractors will be keeping local residents fully informed about what is going on and we will keep any disruption to an absolute minimum. They will be sending out details to households shortly."

Next to the 8,000sq m store will be industrial units, and the space are already being marketed to prospective tenants.

BSPF have been locked in negotiations with the borough authority over how to minimise disruption to roads, but these agreements have now been reached.

The plans for the store were first revealed in January 2011 , and while the news was well received by most , Hillingdon council refused permission in November that year, on the grounds that the site should be retained for industrial use, in accordance with guidelines set by the Greater London Authority.

Asda and BSPF appealed and, after a hard-fought public inquiry held at the Hillingdon civic centre, succeeded in overturning the borough's decision.

Phil Bartram, ASDA’s Communications Manager, credited the community's support for carrying the project this far.

"This is a big day for us and for the local community.

"Their hard work and support has been critical to the success of this project and can now get on with the task of getting our store open.

"We have committed to work with all the local job agencies on recruitment when it starts in Spring 2015."

The site was once home to the Westland helicopter factory.

Are you looking forward to Asda in Hayes, or do you think it will be the death of nearby Hayes town? Send your views to jack.griffith@trinitymirror.com, or on twitter @jhgriffith.